Short Stories - Literary Devises Title: The Most Dangerous Game Ever
Point of View:
Protagonist
Rainsford
What type of character is the Protagonist?
Round and Dynamic.
Antagonist:
General Zaroff
Describe the setting
This story is set on General Zaroff’s island in the Caribbean. In my opinion, the English used in this story suggests that this story was set sometime after World War II. The atmosphere in this story is very ominous and terrifying.
Type of Conflict:
Man vs. Man
Describe the main conflict:
The main conflict occurs when General Zaroff begins hunting Rainsford.
Describe the Climax of the Story:
In our opinion, the climax of the story is when Rainsfod jumps into the ocean, in an attempt to outsmart the vicious dogs chasing him :S
How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story?
At the beginning of the story, Rainsfod has no problem killing animals, and feel no remorse for taking the many lives that he has needlessly taken. By the end of the story, Rainsfod has experienced the experiences of one of the animals he hunts regularly. This experience has made him much more appreciative of life.
Describe the relationship between the title and the theme.
We think the theme of this story is the fact that the best game is not always the right game. The title implies that this game is a thrilling and intriguing game. When Rainsford first visited Zarroff's mansion, he was intrigued by the idea of hunting dangerous and more challenging prey until he realized that the prey was himself. He is placed in the situation that he puts animals in all the time, which causes him to come to the realization, that the more exciting game isn't always the morally right game.
How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme?
The main conflict illustrates the theme very well. During the main conflict, Rainsford comes to the realization that killing animals for the sole purpose of entertainment is morally wrong. He realizes that all animals feel fear, and he begins to empathize with them.
How does the climax help to illustrate the theme?
The climax helps illustrate the theme, because by this point, Rainsford is completely aware of the cruelty of the game that he plays regularly, with no thought of the consequences. He realizes that all animals have a sense of self preservation, and taking away a life for the sole purpose of enjoyment is wrong :O
Give examples of each of the following literary terms in the story (use quotes):
Simile:
Page 24: “Ugh, it’s like moist black velvet”
This is a simile because this sentence is saying that the sky was like moist black velvet.
Pag. 25: "the sea was as flat as a plate-glass window"
Metaphor:
Page 25: “The night would be my eyelids”
This sentence is comparing the night to Rainsfod’s eyelids.
On page 24, the author is comparing himself and his usual game to hunters and huntees.
page: 25: "..the blood warm waters of the Caribbean sea..."This is a metaphor, because it is comparing the warmth of the Caribbean sea to blood. Personification:
Page 26: “The muttering and growling of the sea”
This is an example of personification because the ability to mutter or growl is a human trait.
Symbol:
At the end of the story, the General’s bed is a symbol for Rainsford's victory.
Foreshadowing (give both elements):
Page 24 “Sailors have a curious dread of the place…”
This is an example of foreshadowing, because it is suggesting that something ominous is going to happen. In the end, something very terrible does happen!Pg. 25 "Didn't you notice that the crew's nerves seemed a bit jumpy today?"This tells us that something creepy is going on on the island and later on we find out that something creepy is happening on the island.
Irony:
It's ironic that in the beginning of the story, Rainsford was the one planning a hunting trip. By the end of the story, he was the one planning an escape from the monster hunting him. :O
Imagery:
Pg 28: "There was a medieval magnificence about it. it suggested a baronial hall of feudal times with its oaken panels, its high ceiling its cast refectory table were twoscore men could sit down to eat."
Describe the relationships between the class theme and the story.By the end of the story, Rainsford survival depends on the choices that he makes. The game that he used to view as a fun, exhilarating pastime has become a horrific, cruel fight for survival, only using his already accumulated knowledge and his better judgement. Completion 5/5
Effort 4.5/5
Content 4.5/5
total 14/15 1. What is meant by “He lived a year in a minute”? 2/2
This sentence suggest that he experienced a years worth of experiences, terror and adrenaline in the span of one minute :O
2. What is meant by “I am still a beast at bay”? 2/2
To me, this sentence means that although he has won the game, he will never return to being the "hunter", as he was before. Because he's been through all of the traumas that usual game has to go through, he can never emotionally put himself in the position that the general was in.
3. In which sea has Connell set Ship-Trap island? 1/1
Caribbean Sea.
4. How is Zaroff able to finance his life style? 1/2
His father was very rich. He also was part of the army, where he made a lot of money
5. If Rainsford wins the hunt, what does Zaroff promise him? 1/1
If Rainsford wins, Zaroff promises him a safe journey back home.
6. What happened to Lazarus? 2/2
Lazarus was the General’s most powerful and dangerous dog. He died while following one of the General’s victims into the quicksand (also knowns as the Death Swamp). Zaroff says that he loved that hound because he was the best in the pack.
7. Where does Rainsford spend the first night of his hunt? 1/1
Rainsfod spends his first night in a tree, trying to hide from General Zaroff.
8. How many acres did Zaroff’s father have in the Crimea? 1/1
250,000 acres.
9. Why does Zarroff suggest Rainsford wear moccasins? 1/1
Zaroff suggests that Rainsford wears moccasins because Zarroff is exceptionally good at tracking people’s trails, and moccasins would increase Rainsford’s slim chances of fooling Zaroff, therefore making the game more interesting for Zarroff.
10. What caused Rainsford to believe Zaroff knew he was hiding in the tree? Do you think he was right? Give reasons. 3/3
Zaroff smiled to himself and blew puffs of smoke up into the area that Rainsford was hiding.Besides after finding a worthy adversary he would want to see Rainsford put up more of a fight. Also showing Rainsford that he can track even his hardest trails and kill him at any second injects fear into Raisnford and makes Zaroff feel in control. And I think Zaroff wants to save Rainsford until the last day. After he gets his hopes up Zaroff can just crush him which probably makes him feel powerful.
11. How does Zaroff stock his island with “game”? 1/2
He waits for weather-wrecked ships to drift onto his shores. If this is too slow, he destroys passing ships, using giant, razor sharp rocks. This gives the sailors only one hope for survival, which is to swim to Zaroff’s island.
12. What happened to General Zaroff at the end of the story? 1/2
Rainsford defeated him, and probably killed him.
13. Inspite of being hurt, Zaroff congratulates Rainsford on his “Malay mancatcher,” why? 2/2
Because Zaroff is impressed with Rainsford’s ability. Plus a person with Rainfords abilities makes the hunting game more challenging and more fun for Zaroff.
14. How do we know Rainsford is an exceptionally fit man? 1/2
We know Rainsford is an exceptionally fit man because he served many years in the army, and hunts animals regularly
15. Discuss the state of mind of Rainsford before he lands on the island versus that after he meets the General. What is different? (Especially about how he perceives animal feelings.)3/5
Before he visited the island, Rainsford was overconfident, and had no respect for animals. He objectified animals, and treated them solely as entertainment. After his visit to the island, he had a clearer image about how all animals things have a desperate sense of self preservation.
16. How does Connell inspire fear without obvious bloodshed/grotesqueness. 2/3
The author uses very descriptive and creepy foreshadowing to give a somber feeling and a sense of dread
Point of View:
Protagonist
Rainsford
What type of character is the Protagonist?
Round and Dynamic.
Antagonist:
General Zaroff
Describe the setting
This story is set on General Zaroff’s island in the Caribbean. In my opinion, the English used in this story suggests that this story was set sometime after World War II. The atmosphere in this story is very ominous and terrifying.
Type of Conflict:
Man vs. Man
Describe the main conflict:
The main conflict occurs when General Zaroff begins hunting Rainsford.
Describe the Climax of the Story:
In our opinion, the climax of the story is when Rainsfod jumps into the ocean, in an attempt to outsmart the vicious dogs chasing him :S
How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story?
At the beginning of the story, Rainsfod has no problem killing animals, and feel no remorse for taking the many lives that he has needlessly taken. By the end of the story, Rainsfod has experienced the experiences of one of the animals he hunts regularly. This experience has made him much more appreciative of life.
Describe the relationship between the title and the theme.
We think the theme of this story is the fact that the best game is not always the right game. The title implies that this game is a thrilling and intriguing game. When Rainsford first visited Zarroff's mansion, he was intrigued by the idea of hunting dangerous and more challenging prey until he realized that the prey was himself. He is placed in the situation that he puts animals in all the time, which causes him to come to the realization, that the more exciting game isn't always the morally right game.
How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme?
The main conflict illustrates the theme very well. During the main conflict, Rainsford comes to the realization that killing animals for the sole purpose of entertainment is morally wrong. He realizes that all animals feel fear, and he begins to empathize with them.
How does the climax help to illustrate the theme?
The climax helps illustrate the theme, because by this point, Rainsford is completely aware of the cruelty of the game that he plays regularly, with no thought of the consequences. He realizes that all animals have a sense of self preservation, and taking away a life for the sole purpose of enjoyment is wrong :O
Give examples of each of the following literary terms in the story (use quotes):
Simile:
Page 24: “Ugh, it’s like moist black velvet”
This is a simile because this sentence is saying that the sky was like moist black velvet.
Pag. 25: "the sea was as flat as a plate-glass window"
Metaphor:
Page 25: “The night would be my eyelids”
This sentence is comparing the night to Rainsfod’s eyelids.
On page 24, the author is comparing himself and his usual game to hunters and huntees.
page: 25: "..the blood warm waters of the Caribbean sea..."This is a metaphor, because it is comparing the warmth of the Caribbean sea to blood.
Personification:
Page 26: “The muttering and growling of the sea”
This is an example of personification because the ability to mutter or growl is a human trait.
Symbol:
At the end of the story, the General’s bed is a symbol for Rainsford's victory.
Foreshadowing (give both elements):
Page 24 “Sailors have a curious dread of the place…”
This is an example of foreshadowing, because it is suggesting that something ominous is going to happen. In the end, something very terrible does happen!Pg. 25 "Didn't you notice that the crew's nerves seemed a bit jumpy today?"This tells us that something creepy is going on on the island and later on we find out that something creepy is happening on the island.
Irony:
It's ironic that in the beginning of the story, Rainsford was the one planning a hunting trip. By the end of the story, he was the one planning an escape from the monster hunting him. :O
Imagery:
Pg 28: "There was a medieval magnificence about it. it suggested a baronial hall of feudal times with its oaken panels, its high ceiling its cast refectory table were twoscore men could sit down to eat."
Describe the relationships between the class theme and the story.By the end of the story, Rainsford survival depends on the choices that he makes. The game that he used to view as a fun, exhilarating pastime has become a horrific, cruel fight for survival, only using his already accumulated knowledge and his better judgement.
Completion 5/5
Effort 4.5/5
Content 4.5/5
total 14/15
1. What is meant by “He lived a year in a minute”? 2/2
This sentence suggest that he experienced a years worth of experiences, terror and adrenaline in the span of one minute :O
2. What is meant by “I am still a beast at bay”? 2/2
To me, this sentence means that although he has won the game, he will never return to being the "hunter", as he was before. Because he's been through all of the traumas that usual game has to go through, he can never emotionally put himself in the position that the general was in.
3. In which sea has Connell set Ship-Trap island? 1/1
Caribbean Sea.
4. How is Zaroff able to finance his life style? 1/2
His father was very rich. He also was part of the army, where he made a lot of money
5. If Rainsford wins the hunt, what does Zaroff promise him? 1/1
If Rainsford wins, Zaroff promises him a safe journey back home.
6. What happened to Lazarus? 2/2
Lazarus was the General’s most powerful and dangerous dog. He died while following one of the General’s victims into the quicksand (also knowns as the Death Swamp). Zaroff says that he loved that hound because he was the best in the pack.
7. Where does Rainsford spend the first night of his hunt? 1/1
Rainsfod spends his first night in a tree, trying to hide from General Zaroff.
8. How many acres did Zaroff’s father have in the Crimea? 1/1
250,000 acres.
9. Why does Zarroff suggest Rainsford wear moccasins? 1/1
Zaroff suggests that Rainsford wears moccasins because Zarroff is exceptionally good at tracking people’s trails, and moccasins would increase Rainsford’s slim chances of fooling Zaroff, therefore making the game more interesting for Zarroff.
10. What caused Rainsford to believe Zaroff knew he was hiding in the tree? Do you think he was right? Give reasons. 3/3
Zaroff smiled to himself and blew puffs of smoke up into the area that Rainsford was hiding.Besides after finding a worthy adversary he would want to see Rainsford put up more of a fight. Also showing Rainsford that he can track even his hardest trails and kill him at any second injects fear into Raisnford and makes Zaroff feel in control. And I think Zaroff wants to save Rainsford until the last day. After he gets his hopes up Zaroff can just crush him which probably makes him feel powerful.
11. How does Zaroff stock his island with “game”? 1/2
He waits for weather-wrecked ships to drift onto his shores. If this is too slow, he destroys passing ships, using giant, razor sharp rocks. This gives the sailors only one hope for survival, which is to swim to Zaroff’s island.
12. What happened to General Zaroff at the end of the story? 1/2
Rainsford defeated him, and probably killed him.
13. Inspite of being hurt, Zaroff congratulates Rainsford on his “Malay mancatcher,” why? 2/2
Because Zaroff is impressed with Rainsford’s ability. Plus a person with Rainfords abilities makes the hunting game more challenging and more fun for Zaroff.
14. How do we know Rainsford is an exceptionally fit man? 1/2
We know Rainsford is an exceptionally fit man because he served many years in the army, and hunts animals regularly
15. Discuss the state of mind of Rainsford before he lands on the island versus that after he meets the General. What is different? (Especially about how he perceives animal feelings.)3/5
Before he visited the island, Rainsford was overconfident, and had no respect for animals. He objectified animals, and treated them solely as entertainment. After his visit to the island, he had a clearer image about how all animals things have a desperate sense of self preservation.
16. How does Connell inspire fear without obvious bloodshed/grotesqueness. 2/3
The author uses very descriptive and creepy foreshadowing to give a somber feeling and a sense of dread
25/32